Islay Mist 8 years old

[Megawatt]

This blend was recently made available at the LCBO for about $28, putting it in the same category as Crown Royal, The Famous Grouse, Johnnie Walker Red, and Jameson. It is based around Laphroaig single malt, though there are also highland malts and of course grains in the blend.

The nose shows soft smoke, a bit of Laphroaig's medicinal peatiness, but also the gentle sweetness of sherried malt. On the palate there is a perfect integration of grain, sweet malt, and spicy smoke flavour. Nothing really dominates. It comes across as a tad simple but it has a nice honied sweetness and good body to it. Very pleasant and easy-drinking, more of a full-bodied blend than Teacher's or Ballantines, and more flavourful than Grant's. Goes nicely after dinner. The finish leaves some smokiness on the tongue but it doesn't persist like a strong Islay malt. This is certainly one of the best Scotch blends under $30 available in Ontario. Call me crazy but on most occasions I think I would actually prefer this to Laphroaig. The problem is that, unlike Laphroaig, this stuff goes down fast.

[The Third Dram]

Good to hear that the 8YO has made it to the LCBO shelves. I've been fairly pounding my way through the 17YO (which is available here in Quebec in the $60s price range), and thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Might just have to make a short trip westward!

[laph66]

one of the most good for drink is the old 8 yo 75cl 43c fantastic

laph

[Gov]

Between this whisky, Isle of Skye 8 yrs old, Black Bottle and Teachers, Blended scotch can really be great!

[Jim Beam]

My local store offers an Islay Mist "Deluxe" at 43 ABV. Is that the same thing as the 8 yo? Don't think so, because most of the time consumers jump at the age-statement and the stores rarely leave it out. But even so...?

[Doug1937]

Down here in Atlanta they have Islay Mist 8 for $19, IM 12 for $50, and IM 17 for $65. I've tried only the 8, and while it's good, I like Black Bottle better, which I've found here for about the same price as the IM 8.

[burnsy]

ive been trying to get my hands on some islay mist but it's unavailable here in southern cali

they do have black bottle, but its a pretty penny
the NAS goes for almost $30, with the 10 ringing in at $40
i might as well drink laph 10 since it only cost $32

wish they still carried finlaggan at TJ
best $17 i ever spent in my life

[Doug1937]

Meh, IMO Finlaggan is about as good as IM 8...I like BB better. But I prefer single malts even more, of course.